Five Scholars

The Five Scholars were a group of Returned who studied Awakening and BioChroma in detail.[1] Their research led to the ability to create Lifeless with only one Breath as well as the formulation of the Ichor-alcohol necessary to ensure their continued and efficient operation. At least some of them are worldhoppers.[2]

The creation of the Lifeless and other Awakened constructs was one of the reasons for the Manywar. When the war started, the Five Scholars split among the various factions. Nightblood's creation and use in the Battle of Twilight Falls led Vasher to kill Shashara, his wife and collaborator in Nightblood's making. Denth attempts to kill Vasher as revenge for his killing of Arsteel and Shashara. Vasher eventually kills Denth as a result of this fight.